Migrating computing environments to the cloud offers organizations many benefits if done correctly. Companies can take advantage of the scalability and flexibility offered by cloud providers which can often lead to cost savings as resources are used more efficiently. For many small and mid-size enterprises, the cloud offers the only way to gain access to cutting-edge technology and high-performance computing solutions. Software as a service (SaaS) enables the introduction of new applications into the environment without the overhead of in-house support. 

Data privacy regulations are becoming more prevalent and stringent in many parts of the world. Led by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), nations and other jurisdictions such as U.S. states have developed and implemented standards regarding the use of their citizens’ personal information. Organizations risk substantial financial penalties and the loss of customer confidence if they fail to comply with data privacy standards.

One of the fundamental benefits of using the services of public cloud providers is the flexibility and scalability they offer. Using the vast resources of a cloud vendor, a customer can increase and diminish their computing, network bandwidth, and storage capacity much more easily than with an on-premises data center. Instead of the capital expense involved in procuring more hardware that may only be needed for a short time, organizations can scale up to address seasonal or unexpected demand spikes. When the demand on their systems returns to normal levels, they can scale back down to avoid paying for unnecessary capacity.